Merchandise packaging



May 16', 1933. T. w. SATTERTHWAITE 1,909,126.

MERCHANDISEJPA-CKAGING Filed Oct. 18, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

, THOMAS W \SATTEE THWAITE,

ATTORNEYS.

M, MJZM.

y 1933. 'r. w. SATTERTHWAITE MERCHANDISE PACKAGING Filed 00$. 18, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

77/oMAs W. SATTERTHWAITE,

BY M, M d

A TTORNEYS.

Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES THOMAS W. BATIEBTHWAITE, NEW YORK, N. Y, ASSIGNOB T0 HAMILTON FISH nmwmm AND JAMES D. FELL, BOTH OF NEW YORK, N.

SHOBT HILLS, NEW JERSEY PATENT OFFICE Y., AND RICHARD ELY, OF

MERCHANDISE PACKAGING Application filed October 18, 1980. Serial No. 489,580.

This invention relates to improvements in merchandise containers and more articularly to improvements in containers or the distribution of coffee and similar commodities to consumers.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a package of the bag type which may be sealed so as to protect the contents thereof from atmospheric conditions and deterioration.

A further object of the invention is to provide a package of-this type which has a minimum of free air space after the commodity has been packed and the container sealed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel sealing means for a container of this type which also functions as a means for gripping the container to facilitate removal thereof from a package in which a plurality .of the said containers have been packed.

Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and will be in part obvious as the description proceeds.

After a commodity has been placed in a container of the bag type, the extended surfaces of the bag are brought together and fluted or arranged in a plurality of accordian folds to close the same. The folds are then caused to be held together tightly along the lines of folds; This may be done in any suitable fashion as by gluing, but it is in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention to provide a clamp which extends longitudinally of the lines of fold and tightly grips a plurality of the folds in intimate relation, thereby forming an airtight seal.

A further feature of the invention resides in forming the fold next adjacent the contents of the container considerably smaller than the remaining folds and using a clamp which has a clamping surface extending substantially over the entire area of this smaller fold. A container sealed in this manner has practically no air space above the contents which remain intact over an extended period of time.

Still another feature of the invention resides in tightly acking a plurality of the containers provi ed with the novel sealing means into a larger package. The sealing means then function as a handle whereby any one of the containers may be removed while at the same time walls of the remaining containers still continue to hold the contents firmly, regardless of the amount of excess.

room then left in the larger package.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will container after the sealing clamp has been applied.

Fig. 3 illustrates the container with sealing clamp in position.

Fig. 4 illustrates in perspective a plurality of containers of the bag type packed in a larger container.

In the drawings wherein the same numerals indicate corresponding elements, a container 10 is shown, the body of which may be of the usual bag type and which is suitable for the distribution of commodities, such as coffee and the like." The ba or container may be made of any preferre material, such for example as paper, tin foil, cellophane or the like. As is customary with bags of this type, a desired amount of the commodity is placed therein for distribution leaving a considerable amount of the bag material extending above the conhave lines of contact along the lines of fold 14 and when the folds are tightly compressed these lines of contact act as substantially airtight seals. In order to maintain the seal, a clamp 15 is provided extending lon 'tudinall of the folds and having inwar y exten ing edges 16 and 17 These edges are then bent toward the body of the clamp so as to tightly grip the folds as shown in gbviously, a seal of this type is very desirable as the sides of the bag are in close contact with each other along each line of fold. Any lines which willhold the sides of the bag in close contact along the lines of fold is considered within the purview of this invention and as a suggestion glue may iubstantially no empty space is left in the- Fig. 2 shows the thickness of the folds slightly exaggerated. It will be appreciated that when the inwardl extending edges 16 and 17 have been tight y pressed against the body portion of the clip 15, substantially no room will be taken u thereby so that the packtages may be rea ily men A container with t e sealing clamp in position is shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 4, a

plurality of the containers 10 are shown tightly packed in a large package 20 fordistribution. When thus packed, the clamp 15 serves as a handle to remove the smaller containers 10 from the largerpackage. Ordinarily the space left by the removal of one container would permit expansion of the contents, and better access of the free air in the container thereto, In accordance with this invention, this is prevented as the clamp holds the container in close contact with the contents under all circumstances.

This invention is very suitable for the dis trlbution of commodities, such as coffee,

which deteriorate when exposed to the air.

It is proposed to pack a suflicient amount of coffee to make several cups, as for instance, four cups in each container. The consumer may then select the number of small containers which will make the desired number of cups of coffee, leaving the rest of the cofiee in the large package sealed and protected from the am A seal of this type is both cheap and ractical and partic arly desirable especia y in engaging the folds of said zigzag flute gacked for shipdistributing the class of goods mentioned.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departin from the scope thereof, it is intended t at all the matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as lllustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1 A merchandise container having extensions adapted to form a closure when fluted in an accordion fold and means for sealin said container comprising a clamp adapte to" clasp tightly the folds of said extenslons.

2. A merchandise container having extensions adapted to form a closure when fluted in zigzag relation and sealing means tightly tensions.

3. A merchandise container having extensions adapted to form a closure for said container when fluted in zigzag relation, and sealing means tightly engaging the folds of said zigza fluted extensions adjacent th lines of f0 (1.

4. A merchandise container having exten-' sions adapted to form a closure for said container when fluted in zigzag relation and sealing means tightly engaging a flplurality f sai of ad acent folds o zlgza uted extensions adjacent the linesof fol 5. A merchandise container having extensions adapted to forma closure for said container when folded in zigzag relation and a clamp having means for tightly holding the folds of said zigzag folded extensions in intimate engagement.

6. A merchandise contalner having extensions adapted to form a cover therefor when fluted in zigzag relation and sealing means clamping the fold of said zigzag fluted exten-' sion next adjacent the contents of the container substantially over its entire surface.

7. A merchandise container having a cover comprising extensions of said container arranged in aplurality of zigzag folds and clamping means extending longitudinall along the lines of fold maintaining said fol in intimate contact.

8. The method of closing a package which comprlses slmultaneousl folding adjacent marginal extensions in olds simulating accordion pleats and clipping the folds to gether 'alon at least two lines of fold.

9. A ac age having its marginal extensrons fo ded in a manner simulating accordlOIl pleats in combination with a clip having a rebent portion adapted to gri the pleats thus formed along the lines of f0 d.

10. A package having its marginal extens ons folded in a manner simulatin accor (hon pleats in combination with'a c p having a rebent portion adapted to grip adjacent 7 f0 ds.

11. A package having its marginal extensions folded in a manner simulatin accordion leats in combination with a c ip having re nt portions adapted to rip the folded edges of the accordion'pleats thus formed.

12. A package having its marginal extensions folded in a manner simulatin accordion pleats, the pleat next adjacent t e package being smaller than the remaining pleats in combination with a clip having a rebent portion adapted to grip said smaller pleat substantially over its entire surface.

13. A package having its marginal extensions folded in a manner simulatin accordion pleats in combination with a c 'p havin rebent portions adapted to ip a plura ity of such folds tightly toget er.

14. A package having its marginal extensions folded in a manner simulating accordion pleats in combination with a cli havin rebent portions and a top portion 0 the sai clip being adapted to confine all of said pleats within the confines of said rebent and top portions.

In testimony whereof I aflix my si ature. THOMAS W. SATTERTHW TE. 

